Franklin commissioners say no to leash law

When Franklin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Bridges called Tuesday night for action by the board on a leash law proposal, the request died for a lack of a motion.

Nancy Chadwick of Lavonia and Fred Tolley of Royston have complained to county officials for some time about the problem of dogs running loose around their neighborhoods and through their properties.

At the county commission work session last week, Chadwick, who lives in community along Hartwell Lake, offered an example of what a leash law might require.

"I suggest that it be unlawful for any dog owner or any keeper of a dog to allow the dog to run at large off of the owner's property," Chadwick said. "There should be consequences, such as the dogs could be impounded, adopted out or disposed of."

Chadwick also suggested requirements that dogs in the county be registered, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated against rabies. She also asked that the county require breeders to obtain a permit and limit the number of litters their dogs may have a year.

Chadwick said dogs running loose present a danger to the public.

But several people said Tuesday that they are against a leash law. Cary Turner of Carnesville said most people in the county are farmers who own large tracts of land where their dogs can run. She also said a leash law would be a violation of her freedom.

"It's taking away more of our rights," Turner told commissioners. "It's adding more government interference into a place where we don't need it."

She said she understands why municipalities would institute leash laws because homes there are close to one another.

"I don't think it's right that I should be told that my dog has to be spayed or neutered," Turner said. "I think this is legislation that would cause us to have more taxes and more government that we just don't need."

She also said hunters in the county should not be required to keep their dogs on a leash.

Carl Smith of Toccoa in neighboring Stephens County agreed. Smith and his son hunt wild hogs in Franklin County with their dogs.

"Passing a leash law in this county is taking that dog's rights," Smith said. "They were bred to do that. If folks want a leash law, move. Somewhere you gotta draw a line, and I think it's time to draw this line and tell these people if they don't like what goes on in the county to stay in the city, not to try and impose their thoughts on stuff that's been going on for centuries."

County Commissioner Clint Harper said he also opposes a leash law.

"We will have to hire an animal control officer," he said, citing the expense that would involve. "We will have to buy a vehicle. We will have to supply everything involved. And then you're going to clog up the courts with all of these fines and everything else that goes along with a leash law."